Researchers of this study aimed to explore the sensations of bladder “pressure,” “discomfort,” “pain,” and “urgency” in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and overactive bladder (OAB) patients to determine their similarities and distinctions. Among patients with IC/BPS (n=27), numeric ratings for pain, pressure, discomfort, and urgency were closely aligned (mean scores: 6.6, 6.0, 6.5, and 6.0, respectively), with strong correlations between pain, pressure, and discomfort (>0.77). Conversely, patients with OAB (n=51) reported significantly lower ratings for pain, pressure, and discomfort (mean scores: 2.0, 3.4, and 3.4) compared to urgency (mean: 6.1, p <0.001). Correlations between urgency and other sensations in OAB were weak to moderate, suggesting distinct symptom profiles for the conditions.

The study concluded that patients with IC/BPS perceive bladder pain, pressure, and discomfort as nearly interchangeable, raising questions about the necessity of separate descriptors in the IC/BPS case definition. In OAB, discomfort may overlap with urgency, which could lead to misinterpretation. The findings emphasize the importance of refining symptom descriptors for both IC/BPS and OAB to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Reference: Gousse A, Vetter J, Lai HH. Assessment of bladder pressure and discomfort symptoms: How do overactive bladder differ from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients? BMC Urol. 2023;23(1):53. doi: 10.1186/s12894-022-01164-8.